Quick wins for a faster PC:
Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
The 118GB Intel Optane drive home-lab builders seek is the Optane SSD P1600X (ordering code SSDPEK1A118GA01). Intel designed it for data-center boot, logging, and caching workloads and lists it as discontinued. It can make sense as a compact boot device when a host supports M.2 NVMe booting and the drive’s condition and price are right—but its specifications alone do not prove it will outperform a current SSD in your system.
What the 118GB Optane drive is
The P1600X is a single-drive M.2 2280 SSD based on 3D XPoint, using PCIe 3.0 x4 and NVMe. It is not an Optane cache module, nor is it an H10 or H20 hybrid drive that combines Optane memory with NAND flash. Intel’s P1600X product specifications identify the 118GB model and mark it discontinued.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Intel Optane Memory M10 16 GB PCIe M.2 80mm | $36.81 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Optane SSD 900P 280GB HH | $301.04 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Intel 660p Series M.2 2280 1TB PCIe NVMe 3.0 x4 3D2, QLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)... | $195.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Optane SSD 905P Series | $4,500.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
Intel OPTANE H10 16GB + 256GB SSD M.2 | $95.00 | Buy on Amazon |
Intel described the product as intended for data-center boot use as well as write-focused work such as logging and caching: “This new SSD product is in the 80mm M.2 form factor and is positioned for data center as a boot drive and also for write workloads like logging and caching.” That makes using one as a home-lab boot drive a reasonable application of its design, not a documented Intel recommendation for a specific home server or a promise of particular results.
PC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchWhat Intel specifies—and what those numbers mean
Intel publishes the following figures for the 118GB P1600X. They are manufacturer specifications, not independent measurements of a home-lab system.
#1 Best Overall
- Snappy PC experience with short boot times, fast application launches, extraordinary gaming experience and responsive browsing
- Pair Intel Optane memory with storage media (HDD, SSD), to get amazing performance and responsiveness without compromising storage capacities
- Supported on 7th Gen Intel Corei3 processor and above
- Requires Optane Ready Motherboard and storage drive such as HDD and/or SSD
- A computer with Intel Optane memory adapts to your everyday computing activities to make your repetitive tasks increasingly faster, smoother and easier to accomplish
| Specification | Intel’s published figure |
|---|---|
| Capacity and form factor | 118GB; M.2 22 x 80mm |
| Interface | PCIe 3.0 x4, NVMe |
| Sequential read | Up to 1,760 MB/s |
| Sequential write | Up to 1,050 MB/s |
| Random read | Up to 410,000 IOPS, 4K blocks |
| Random write | Up to 243,000 IOPS, 4K blocks |
| Endurance rating | 1,292 TBW |
| Warranty period | Five years; the period does not establish that a particular used drive remains eligible |
| Product lifecycle | Launched in Q2 2021; listed as discontinued |
The high TBW rating is relevant if a boot device will also receive frequent logs or other writes, but it is not a guarantee that a used drive is healthy or that it is the best value for your workload. The IOPS and throughput figures also do not establish how a P1600X compares with a current SSD in your host; no same-system independent comparison is established here.
Check host compatibility before buying
An M.2 2280 slot is not enough to establish compatibility. Before purchasing, verify the slot accepts an NVMe PCIe drive, that its wiring and available lanes support the drive, and that the system firmware can boot from NVMe. Check the motherboard, server, or mini-PC documentation for the exact model and firmware version.
Rank #2
- Physical fit: Confirm the system accepts an 80mm M.2 module and has the needed mounting point and clearance.
- Storage interface: Confirm the slot supports PCIe NVMe, rather than only SATA M.2, and check lane availability.
- Boot support: Confirm the BIOS or UEFI can boot from an NVMe drive. A drive can appear as storage without being a supported boot device.
- Platform documentation: Verify the exact host configuration with its manufacturer; the interface label does not certify every system.
Intel’s guidance about NVMe boot requirements for the Optane 900P discusses NVMe-capable hardware, BIOS and driver support, and UEFI 2.3.1-or-later with NVMe support. That article concerns a different Optane model, so treat it as general context rather than P1600X-specific compatibility certification; see Intel’s 900P boot guidance.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Do not confuse it with Optane H10 or H20
The P1600X is a standard single-drive NVMe SSD. By contrast, H10 and H20 modules combine Optane memory and NAND and rely on Intel Rapid Storage Technology (RST) and supported platform configurations. Their setup and compatibility requirements differ; an H10 or H20 is not an interchangeable substitute for a P1600X. Intel explains the distinction in its Optane H10 and H20 overview.
Rank #3
- 1B Storage Capacity
- M2. 2280 Form Factor
- PCIe NVMe 3.0 x4 Interface
- 1800 MB/s Sequential Read Speeds. 1800 Sequential Write Speeds. Intel QLC 3D NAND
How to assess a discontinued drive
Intel lists the P1600X as discontinued and its ordering record as retired and discontinued. That describes the product’s lifecycle; it does not confirm whether a seller has stock or establish a current market price. If you find a used or remaining-stock unit, evaluate the specific listing rather than assuming a new, supported product is available.
- Check that the model and capacity match the P1600X 118GB, ordering code SSDPEK1A118GA01.
- Review seller reputation, the stated condition, and the return policy.
- Ask for drive health and SMART data where available, and assess it before entrusting the device with important workloads.
- Check whether warranty service applies to that particular unit. Intel’s discontinued-product support page describes support options and notes that applicable warranty service may remain available; the original five-year period alone does not establish eligibility for a secondhand drive.
- Confirm host compatibility before committing to the purchase.
When it makes sense as a home-lab boot drive
The P1600X is worth considering if you specifically need a small NVMe boot device for a compatible host, expect meaningful write activity such as frequent logging, and can obtain a drive in verifiable condition with reasonable return protection. Intel’s endurance and performance figures can help frame that decision, but they do not show what the drive will deliver in your particular machine.
Rank #4
- Intel Optane SSD 905P Series SSDPE21D015TAX1 1.5TB U.2 15mm PCIExpress 3.0 x4 Solid State Drive (3D XPoint)
For a routine operating-system boot volume, compare it with a conventional NVMe drive on capacity, price, expected writes, system compatibility, and warranty or return coverage. A smaller drive may also be unsuitable if the OS, containers, virtual machines, or logs will outgrow 118GB. No current price or fair, same-system independent comparison is established here, so the P1600X should not be treated as automatically faster or better than a modern alternative.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- UPC 735858397070
- Weight 0 200 lbs
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
